ONE Championship will tear away the final month on the 2023 calendar on Friday, December 22. ONE Friday Fights 46 emanates from Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, with 11 incredible contests. At the top of the docket will be three World Championship bouts on global pay-per-view.
There is plenty of action to take in, but what stands out? Titles are on the line and contenders are ready and excited to put on a show. Let’s take a look at the three matches to keep an eye on this Friday.
3 Cannot Miss Fights at ONE Friday Fights 46
Tawanchai vs. Superbon
As with most main events, there is a title on the line. However, the significance of this matchup goes beyond the 26 pounds of gold at stake. These are simply two of the best pound-for-pound strikers in the game today and fans get to see them throw down in four-ounce gloves. That makes everything else the cherries on top of the sundae.
Tawanchai entered with much fanfare but stumbled in his second outing against Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong by a narrow split decision. How did he rebound? Only with six consecutive wins, including four KO/TKO finishes, and winning the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Championship.
Meanwhile, Superbon ascended to the top of the kickboxing world by knocking out Giorgio Petrosyan. Although he lost the title to Chingiz Allazov, Superbon got back in the win column with a Knockout of the Year contender against Tayfun Ozcan earlier this year. Now he has a shot at two-sport glory if he can claim the Muay Thai title.
This matchup may be more about their enduring legacies than it is about the title. A victory would be a signature mark on their record for the rest of time. As both men bring in crisp technique and brutal power, everything is lining up for one of the year’s best battles.
Phetjeeja vs. Anissa Meksen
Phetjeeja has over 200 career victories to her credit and she is only 21 years old. After terrorizing the atomweight Muay Thai division since arriving on the global stage, “The Queen” now has a chance to make her mark in kickboxing. And she gets the chance against the woman who many believe is the pound-for-pound best kickboxer on the planet, Anissa Meksen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nesXbyqr-dI
Meksen has been a dominant force throughout her career and that run continued in ONE when she arrived in 2021. Since her debut, she has called for a shot at the atomweight crown. Although the match with Janet Todd has been elusive as the American has been involved in other challenges, Meksen gets a shot to secure gold with the ONE Interim Atromweight Kickboxing World Title on Friday.
The French-Algerian can add a missing piece to her collection with a win and continue to show why she is atop the kickboxing world. Or the Thai star can elevate her status as the new face of female striking by knocking off one of the greatest to ever don the gloves. We will all find out who takes that next step in Bangkok.
Nong-O vs. Nico Carrillo
Former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama is ready to make his case for a rematch against Jonathan Haggerty. All that is standing in his way is Scotland’s Nico Carrillo. The bantamweight showdown could elevate either man into the cat bird’s seat.
The Thai icon ruled over the division since its inception, but it all came crashing abruptly at ONE Fight Night 9. Friday’s match is his chance to put the loss behind him. However, “Coco” believes the sport is ready to move past the 37-year-old and is prepared to take the reins.
Carrillo has shown his finishing abilities in his two ONE Friday Fights outings. In his last match in June, the Scotsman picked up a massive win over Muangthai PK Saenchai to continue his 13-bout winning streak. The young buck against the legend is the storyline to make the bantamweight division a little extra spicy as the new year nears.
ONE Friday Fights 46 airs live on Friday, December 22. The event is available for $39.99 on global pay-per-view at watch.onefc.com. The action gets underway at 7:30 a.m. EST/4:30 a.m. PST.
